PITTSBURG, Kansas - Azusa Pacific track & field sent a small group of athletes to the 7th Annual Gorilla Classic (hosted by Pittsburg State) indoor meet this weekend. Jaylah Walker improved her provisional status in two events, Mechaela Hyacinth met the provisional standard in a new event, and Aaron Worrell improved his provisional status in an event while also setting a personal record in Kansas.
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In both the 60 hurdles and 200, Walker ran faster times than her previous provisional marks this weekend. In the 200, Walker posted a time of 24.31 seconds, which is the sixth-fastest time in the nation this season. Walker also set a new lifetime best in the 60 hurdles, where she put up an 8.48 race in the prelims. With her personal best performance, Walker is No. 3 on the national list for the event.
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Hyacinth, who is the national leader in the 60 meters (7.35 seconds), ran the 200 for the first time this season. In her debut performance, Hyacinth ran a time of 24.50 seconds, which puts her on the national qualifying list at No. 10.Â
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One week after setting two records in his country of Barbados (indoor heptathlon & pole vault), Worrell had another great weekend of competition. In the high jump, he cleared a height of 2.06m (6' 9"), which met the provisional standard of 2.04m. Worrell joins teammate Raymon Harper on the qualifying list, as Worrell is at No. 22, while Harper is tied for No. 9. In the 60 hurdles, Worrell ran a lifetime best of 8.53 seconds.
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Up Next: With indoor Nationals set to occur next week, Azusa Pacific will send some athletes to one final indoor meet, the SPU Final Qualifier, on Saturday, February 26. Currently, the women's team has 17 provisional times/marks, and the men have nine.
This weekend at the Gorilla Classic had a dual purpose for the Cougars, as it was an opportunity to meet or improve provisional standards, and it also gave athletes a chance to compete in the same facility in which this season's indoor Nationals will be held on March 10-12.
In addition to the remainder of the indoor season, Cougar track & field is also gearing up for the outdoor season, which is set to begin on Saturday, February 19 at the Pomona-Pitzer All-Comers meet. To view the entire 2022 schedule for Azusa Pacific track & field, click here.
